The now widely shared post, published in the r/EndTipping subreddit, came from a man who says he was berated by staff at Seneca after choosing to leave a 10% tip during a dinner date. The post, titled "Tipping 10% got me into a discussion during a date," alleges that after bypassing the preset 24%, 26%, and 28% tipping options on the restaurant's card reader to enter a custom tip amount, the diner was publicly confronted by both a server and a cook.
According to the post, the server shouted, "Are you serious, dude?!" before bringing over a cook - described as "some buff Latino dude" - who reportedly told the man, "Listen buddy, we all have bills to pay. You’re in a high-end restaurant with your girl, tipping that low is very disrespectful." The incident reportedly caused the diner's date to go quiet, eventually ending the evening on an awkward and deflating note.
The post quickly drew sympathy from anti-tipping advocates, sparking negative Google reviews accusing Seneca of tip shaming and entitled service. As of this week, 1-star reviews allude to the tipping incident, with several reviewers evidently leaving a rating in solidarity with the Reddit OP.
Ironically, one of Consortium Holdings' most prominent venues - Craft & Commerce, located just blocks from Seneca - famously plays negative online reviews over the bathroom speakers as a sort of high-concept mockery of customer feedback. But in this case, the online outrage seems more targeted and personal, as the thread plays into broader frustrations about tipping culture in America, especially at upscale restaurants where gratuities of 20% or more are often expected regardless of service quality, and are frequently in addition to controversial surcharges.
Consortium Holdings (also known as CH Projects), the hospitality group behind Seneca, has long been a polarizing force in San Diego’s food scene. Led by Arsalun Tafazoli, the company has built a reputation for elaborate, visually immersive dining concepts that some critics say prioritize aesthetic over substance. CH’s venues - such as Morning Glory, Leila, Ironside, and Born & Raised - have become Instagram darlings, known as much for their maximalist design and curated vibes as for their menus.
But the company's growing portfolio and dominance in the downtown and North Park dining scenes have also made it a lightning rod for criticism. Allegations of cultural appropriation, performative branding, questionable labor practices, and underwhelming food have dogged CH for years, even as it continues to expand into hotels, spas, and commercial real estate.
In September 2024, SanDiegoVille published an article examining why Consortium Holdings inspires such strong feelings - ranging from admiration to disdain. That same piece noted that some current and former employees had publicly criticized the company's internal culture, calling it "toxic," "culty," and rife with hypocrisy.
So far, neither Seneca nor Consortium Holdings has publicly addressed the tipping incident or the ensuing review-bombing campaign. The company's press team has remained silent, and no comment has been posted on the restaurant's Google or Yelp pages. If history is any guide, however, CH is unlikely to apologize - and may even lean into the controversy as it has in the past.
Whether this latest backlash will result in any lasting reputational damage remains to be seen. For now, it’s clear that in San Diego’s increasingly scrutinized hospitality landscape, even a single confrontation over gratuity can quickly spiral into a full-blown digital firestorm.
For more on Seneca, visit senecasandiego.com. For more information about Consortium Holdings, visit consortiumholdings.com.
But the company's growing portfolio and dominance in the downtown and North Park dining scenes have also made it a lightning rod for criticism. Allegations of cultural appropriation, performative branding, questionable labor practices, and underwhelming food have dogged CH for years, even as it continues to expand into hotels, spas, and commercial real estate.
In September 2024, SanDiegoVille published an article examining why Consortium Holdings inspires such strong feelings - ranging from admiration to disdain. That same piece noted that some current and former employees had publicly criticized the company's internal culture, calling it "toxic," "culty," and rife with hypocrisy.
So far, neither Seneca nor Consortium Holdings has publicly addressed the tipping incident or the ensuing review-bombing campaign. The company's press team has remained silent, and no comment has been posted on the restaurant's Google or Yelp pages. If history is any guide, however, CH is unlikely to apologize - and may even lean into the controversy as it has in the past.
Whether this latest backlash will result in any lasting reputational damage remains to be seen. For now, it’s clear that in San Diego’s increasingly scrutinized hospitality landscape, even a single confrontation over gratuity can quickly spiral into a full-blown digital firestorm.
For more on Seneca, visit senecasandiego.com. For more information about Consortium Holdings, visit consortiumholdings.com.
Originally published on July 5, 2025.
